Disposable syringe



JUIYZZ 1952 N. BRoDY l 2,604,095

DIsPosABLE: SYRINGE v AFiled Dec. 18, 1948 232 FIG-9.232 lo l 202 Wm/rola NATHAN BRODY DISPOSABLE SYRIN'G i Nathan Bruay, New York,l N. Y,

c This invention relates to vdisposable hypodermic syringes, and; in particular fis directed toi novel ampules, and disposable' needles which, in combination with'each other, provide novel structures vin this art.'

Developments4 in 'therapeutic Y`materials which are: administered Abyihypodermic `syringes have brought'tofthepforesituations which make itinexpedi'ent to;` usewthe conventional hypodermio syringe: z r: i' J 'f For examplefthe vadministrationY of a viscous drug, suchfas penicillin in oil, entails great labor andv diiicultyinz` maintaining the conventional hypodermic'syringe in" sterile Working condition. For this reason' itis.l advantageous 'to utilize .as thebo'dyl` of the:l syringe fa' cartridgecontaining pnieil'linin oil whichyloy combination of va disposable needlerthere'with; entirely dispenses with the loading and inge; 1 In other instances it has been found that some drug's or therapeutic agentsin solution form are unstable: Stock solutions of such drugs cannot be relied upon'in carrying out hypodermic administrations and fors'uch reason it is highly desirable to utilize a multi-chambered ampule .in which each of the chambers is iilledlwith an ingredient that can'. be brought' `together just prior to ithe actualinjection'. With a multi-chambered am,- pule, each chamber being filled with an ingre-4 dient that canbecoi'nbined just prior to injection, the ampule, when fitted with a disposable needle, constitutes'a 'disposable syringe. Although it has been proposed'heretofore to provide ampules or cartridges, either: single-chambered or multichambered, for 'use with a needle inserted vtherein,V such'prior devices have'failed to" aiord the requisite eciency or 'have been soexpensive as severely to increase'the' cost of medication.A

Accordingly, .itis among the objects of this inventionto provide afnovel ampule which may readily function asithe body of a"lledsyrin`geby the' combination of such ampule with a quickly in? serted' and` easily manipulable inexpensive disposable'needle. c l f f Another object 'of the invention is the provision ofa novel multi-chambered ampule containing ingredients of an injectible material adapted for quickand easy-preparation of the injectible material'in the freshfcondition just' prior to the 'administrationthereof. 'v f i Aafurther object ofv the invention vis the provision of' such multi-chambered: ampules` that it may readily function'asithe body of a illedsyringe by combination withan' easily manipulable,

inexpensive disposable-needle.

- Anotherobject of'this'invention is to provide exceedingly substantial economies in the manufacture of disposable'syringes;

f Other objects andadvantages of this invention cleaning of a conventional syr-v 1 1 l vApplicamm December 18,1948,'seriai-Nggqgag] "j iolaims. (o1..12s-2.2;.l v

will become apparent from `.the'moredetailed descrption thereof; taken in `conjunction y.with the accompanyingdlaW-ings .wherein .l i Fig. :1 vis a longitudinal, crossrsectional view of a single-chambered ampule asadapted foruse as adisposablefsyringei f y Fiera is azcross-.setonal-vew 2f-the diSpQSlable needle used inA forming'the disposable syringe. il lustrated-inigfl.; v f v. Q: T ff., if; Fig. 3 is. aperspective view ofthe-cartridgea's shown. lin the 'crosssectional view Yillustrated in Fig. 1. f' isf: z Y Fig: 4 is aelongitudinal, `crosslffsectional view of a multi-chambered-ampule 'provided with a d is-l posable needle inserted thereimthe rear chamber being shown iilledjwithV a uid ,and the .iront chamber lled with a powdered or-crystalline material. s vj. .g v Fig. 5 is afcrossfsectionalviewof the ,embodiment illustratedrinFigvashowing the liquid con-y tents ofthe rearrchamber after'the same/have been transferreditogthe front chamber. i

Fig. 6 'isa cross-.fsectional-view of; theembodiment illustrated Yin fEigs i yandy-afte 1" .the co`ntents:l thereof havei; been.v completely discharged. Fig. .7' is ka longitudinal, crosssectionalyiew of another `form of ,multi-. chambered ampulejw'itha disposable needleinserted therein,v the raam:hamber being vshowndilled with-afiluidandtheiront chamber filled with a powdered or cry stellinematerialgs." :1,: ff'i: Fig'. :Bris a cross-'sectional l view o the embodie ment illustratedfinjfFig.. 'Lshowinggthe liguidpon tents of the'rea'r'.` chamber-.'afterv transfer thereof to the' frontChambon -f i Fig. 9 is across-sectional view ofthe `embodif menti'illustrated in'EigJ; showing the same' after the 'contents ofthe vcartridge have been eomf pletely discharged.'92:51".Y f i vv Referring more' particularly' 'toy 1igs.1 l to-3, the numeral I0 designates angampulegcomprising a cartridge or cylinder,` 1.2: made of -glassor other appropriate transparent materialgysuchjas 'plastic orthe like: The V'forward end'lof; the .cylinder 'is `a :solidgrelatively thick base I llA formed integraHyrwithf thepwall thereof. 'This basefris provided withf a bore; l 6, transverse to the axisiof .the cylinder, withiny which-f bore, `isinserted a plug! ls of: rubberior other appropriateresilielit material.' 5 The z base 1.4 lis alsofprovided with -an axially disposed '-borel, saidbore, on' the vside 'extending froml'theinsid'e of `the cylinder'i to the f plug, being -pr`eferably 'llargr in` d'aliter than thejlo'orev `onfthe btherfsi'de' "off'the 'plug extending tb `the external side "f the base.' IThis enlargement forms;E ari vvaxially disposed recess' 22jonthe inside-,of 1the"base.'-flhe rear or open end 2'6 of the" cylinder, terminates wings' or* ngerffholds- Zffwl'iich 'mayibe Vformed ini tegrally" with the wall` f ,'the" cylinder.' "Pos'il ends.

tioned at the open end of the cylinder is a rubber plug or stopper 30, held in'frictional engage-V ment by the wall, thus forming a chamber 32. The chamber 3-2 may bev filled with an injectible material 34. As thus 'lled the ampule I0 may be sterilized in accordance with appropriate procedures. rectly as the body of a iilled syringe. To accomplish this purpose a double ended, sterilized hypodermic needle 40 may be inserted into the base of the cylinder. The extent of the penetration ofthe rear end 42 -is eon'trolled'by a stop 44 amxed to or mounted on the needle. This stop may be of Winglike shape so as to provide a finger hold. A stem or rod 46, provided with a' thumb rest ori-support 48, may be inserted in the plus' 3o. 'if desired, the external side of the plug 30 may be providedwith an axially disposed recess 49, to "receive Vtlie front end 0 of the stem. The forward end 52 of the needle may then be inserted `int `l`the locus oi injection. With the needle inserted in the body, and the structure being-held for appropriate manipulation, the stem may then be pushed for-.- waifd, 'the plug 3|)l acting as vaV piston, until the contents of the cartridge have been discharged into the body. It will be noted that the recess 22 in 'the baseprov-ides a space within which the rear open end oi the 'needle is fully exposed and at the same time allows vfor the plug z to travel the entire length of the'enamber until it' reaches the base I4. f Y

It will be observed that the device just described makes it possible to Yprepare for distribution a package containing the lfilled ampule I0, the needle40, and the-'stem 46, all in sterile condition and ready for assemblage by the physician at the'time he proceeds hypoderimically to administer thev contents to 'the patient.

YIt is also to be noted the base of the ampule is rigid, in contrast Iwith amp'ules provided with movable plugs or Stoppers at both ends, thereby completely eliminating any danger of a stopper 'beingdislodged 'from an ampule during' the course of injection of thedru'g. When the injectible material is viscous, such as penicillin in oil, a-rel'atively great amount of pressure is required to effectuate the discharge ofthe drug from the chamber into the needle and thence to the body. Such pressures o'fttimes are sul'ciently great to force out onenoi the Stoppers. when using cartridges prol'f'idedv with Stoppers at both The danger o'f dislodging 'a stopper is entirely obviated by the structureV just described, since the vforward end is rigid and' the pressure exerted against the stopper causes it to move 'inyl'rardlyV of 'the cartridge.

It 'will also be appreciated that great economies the cost of lp'rodl'ieing the Vcartridgeitseli i 'and the relative inexpensiveness of the hypodermic needle used vin combination therewith, as 'welll as lthe cheapness of the piston stem, may be achieved `byV the structure justV described. When the `drug been/*administered the relatively inexpensive needle andcheap stem.may be dis.- carde'd `"along 'with the exhausted Yampule'.

Referring now to the embodiments illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6 (a multi-chambered ampule 90, adapted to hold two different ingredients which are combined' 'with each. otherjust prior to administration) the 'numeral' |00 designates a cylinder or cartridge made of glass or other appro'- priate, transparent material such as'plastic or the like. the base or rear end |02 vthereofbeing solid and formed integrally withthe walljof thejcylin'- The sterilized ampule may be used dider. Positioned about midway the length of the cylinder |00 is a rubber plug or stopper |04, held in frictional engagement by the wall, thus forming a chamber |05. This chamber may be filled, as shown,l with a liquid-ingredient I 08. vSet slidably within the unfilled or open portion of the cylinder |00 is a second cylinder or cartridge H0 made of glass or other appropriate transparent material. The base or rear end H2 of this second cylinder is likewise solid and formed integrally with the wall thereof. Positioned near the open end of the cylinder |0 is a rubber plug or stopper H4, held in frictional engagement by the wall, thus `:forming a second chamber H6. This chamber-may be iilled, as shown, with 'a second ingredient such as powder or fine crystals HB.- Set Within the base H2 is a short length of'a single-pointed hypodermic needle |20 positioned axially. The pointed end |22V of this needlerpartially penetrates the `plug |04 so that the materials contained ineach of the chambers IBG and H6 are eiectively sealed'therein and kept separated from eachv otheruntil such time as the pointed end |22" is caused completely to penetrate the stopper |04. The stopper |04'ma'y be provided with an axially disposed recess |24 thus diminishing the thickness ofthe stopper so. that the. needle |20'can readily rupture or penetrate this stopper. The recess also provides 'a space Within which the pointed open end '|22 of the ,needle is fully exposed and at the-same time allows for the 'stopper |04 to travel the Y entire length-of chamber |06 until it reaches the base |02.

In order to prepare the ampule for the injection, the cartridge H0 isk pushed rearwardly so that the needle penetrates the stopper |04 and comes to rest within the'recess |24. The pushing is continued with resultant flow of the fluid |08 into the chamber lf, until all the fluid is transferred to that chamber when the stopper |84 reaches the base |02, as shown in Fig. 5. The ampule is then appropriately shaken or agitated so thatA the ingredients m8 and I8 are thoroughly combined with Yeach other toform the fluid that is'to be hypoderm'ically injected. When the injectible product is rea'dy .for administration, a double-ended. administration hypodermic needle |28,Y set axially Within the stem |30, is inserted into the stopper H4. The lrear end |32 of this needle extends for such'length beyond the encasing rod or stem `as to penetrate the stopper H4 suiiiciently 'to expose the needle opening fully-'to the chamber H6. 'I'he external diameter oi the stem is of such dimension as will permit of its being snugly `and slidably engaged within the has. been inserted, theA fluid contents of the ampule :may be injected by-'holding 'the structure (now a syringe) between vthe iii-nger holds |134 and the thumb which bears against the base |02, and pushing the base forward 'until Vthe desired `amount of the fluid contents .have entered the body; When Vall of the fluid contents have been expelled from the ampule the 'structure appears as shown in Fig. 6. It is to be noted that the stopper I4 may be provided With an axially disposed recess |40, similar tofrecess |24. This recess diminishes the thickness of the stopper so thatthe` rear end, of .thejadmnistration needle can readily-penetrate 'triesamrfnaisb pqvids 'a space vvithin'fwhjlch:the `pointec'i openrearfend of the `adniin'istration needle-is fully exposedto the fluid contents orchamberf-I I6; while 'allowing for the stopper I I4 to traveltheentire length-of the chamber IIG until it reaches the base"`II2 thereof, "and thus assures" complete- Adischarge' of the chamberscontents.` i. 2.15" i' In the embodiment.illustratedin'lEYigsLi 'Ito 9 (a multi-chamberedampule |90, adapted to Lhold two different ringredients I`which*v areic'ombined with eachy other` justprior to-administration) the numeral 200designates a cylinder .ori cartridge madeof glassoriiother appropriate transparent materialsuch as plasticorthe like', ,the base or rear vend 202 thereof beingr solidxand'formed integrally with the wall of the cylinder. Positioned" about midway thev` lengthy of the cylinder 200 isa rubber plug or stopper 204,n heldin ric-` tional engagement byfthe wall ofthe cylinder, thus forming a chamber 206. This chamber may belled, as shown, `with a liquid ingredient 208. The inner wall 2 I 0 of the cartridge 200, extending from a point slightly forward'of-theouter surface 2I2, yof the plug 204,;,is 'threaded up;to Vthe open end.2l4, ofthe cylinder as at-2I8. Set within the cartridge 200`is asecond cartridge 220, made of glass or 'other appropriate transparent material. cylinder is likewise solidandformed` integrally with the wallthereof; The external side 224 is threaded as at 226, inthe regionfapproximately midway the forward VV,and-rear endsV thereof, so that when the second cylinder is inserted within the iirst cylinder a portion ofthe external threads of the secondcyli-nder are heldin engagement bythe internal threads of the cylinder 200. The forward end 230 of the cylinder 200Hisprovided with wings 4vo r'iinger holds 232. Positioned near the open4 end of the inner cylinder-V220, isha rubber plug 0r stopper 234, rheld in frictional engagement by the wall, thus forming asecond chamber 236. This chamber may be filled,v as shown, with a second ingredient such as powder or fine crystals 238. Set within the base 222, is a short length of a. singleepointed hypodermic needle 240 positioned axially of the cylinder. The pointed end 242 of this needle partially penetrates the plug 204, so that theinaterials contained in each of the chambers 206 and 236 are eiTectively sealed therein and kept separate kfrom eachother until suchrtimeas the pointed end 242 is caused completely t9 penetrate the stopper l204. f The (stopper 204j may be provided ina manner similar to stopper I04,-with an axially disposed recess 244, thus diminishing the 'thickness of the stopper so that the needle 240 can readily rupture or penetrate this stopper. This recess also provides a space within which the pointed end 242 of the needle is fully exposed and at the same time allows for the stopper 204 to travel the entire length of the chamber 206 until it reaches the base 202.

In order to prepare the ampule |90 for the injection, the cartridge 200 may be grasped in one hand and the wings 232 with the other, and

`the cartridge 220 screwed into the cartridge 200.

The needle 240 thus penetrates the stopper 204, and by continuing the rotation of the two cartridges with respect to each other, the fluid 208, in chamber 206, is transferred to the chamber 236 until the plug 204, comes to rest against the base 202 as shown in Fig. 8. The ampule is then appropriately shaken or agitated so that the ingredients 208 and 238 are thoroughly com- The'base orgrearend 222 of this secondV bined with each3 other *to Ifor'ni''theiiuid thatAis to -lbe hypoder-mically injected.v *When :theizine-A jectible product is ready for administration "a double-ended' administration hypodermic needle 250, set axially within the- 'stem 252,`isinserted in ther'stopper 234.4 The"rearend .254 of this needleextends beyond'the-encasingrod or stem 252 suii'iciently to expose the -needle opening fully-tothe chamber '236. 'The external diameter of thevstem 'isloffsuch dimension as' will permit'of itsbeing snuglyand slidably engaged within-the cartridge-5220. vThe ls'tem 252 may be provided at .its forwardY end-with wings or ringer holds Y250. The'forward end 258 of the needle -may then be inserted in the locus' of application. Itsrpenetration to. the body4 may. .be limited'if desired -by the provision of hub 260. When the forwardend `of theneedle 258 has been inserted, rthe uid `contents of the ampule maybe injected by holding the Vstructure A(now a syringe) between the nger holds .256, and the thumb which bears against the .base 202, and pushing th'ebbase forward untilrthe. desired amount of the .fluid contents vhave entere'd'the bodyi; i When alliiof. the 4iiuid 1 contents have :been expelled from the ampule. the structure appears as shownginl Fig.; 9. `Itwill Ybe 'observed that the stopper234 may be provided .withan axially disposed recess 264 ,('similarj to the recessv |40). This recess diminishesrthe"thickness of the Astopper` so that' the rear end ofthe administration needle can readily: penetrate, the; Same: Italso provides aspacev withinfwhich-the pointed open rearr end of; fthe "administration needle is' rfully exposed to the iiuid contents-of chamber- 236, while-allowing for the stopper 254- tolftravel 1the entire length 10i`v the ch-amberfZSB until it reaches the base 222gthereoi`-, andfthus'assures complete discharge-of the-chambers; contents. Y K

It will be appreciated-thaty the dimensions f of the chambersna-re vsuch -that whenthe contents of the first chamber `'are transferred into the secondY chamber they will-be retained therein. Whenrthe first chambervislled with a liquid and the second chamber fdlledv with powdered orcrystal materiaL thespacel between the granules of the `.powdeiiorVV the crystals will-bev such as to provide room for the. fluid. .In such casethe volume .ofthe rstphambe'r may be about half` of thatfof vthefse'cond chamber.,A 'If the .materials contained in rthe .two `chambers are both: liquid ingredients, itwillbe obvious that the second-chamber cannot be filled in'entirety with its` ingredientsand that suiiicient space must be left to Aaccommodate the liquidwhich subsequently will be transferred Vthereto from the first chamber.

It will be observed that the forms of rmultichambered ampules thus described provide for the quick and easy administration, by hypodermic injection, of an injectible fluid which is prepared from two separated portions of its component ingredients just prior to administration. An ampule of such structure makes it possible to maintain the component ingredients in sterile condition until the time they are combined to produce a fresh fluid and thus obviates the dangers inherent in using ampules containing solutions or fluids which deteriorate on standing.

It also will be noted that the ampules just described make it possible to prepare for distribution a package holding a multi-chambered ampule iilled with the component ingredients of an injectible uid and an administration needle, both in sterile condition and ready for proceeds Yhypodermically to. administer the injectible -material. SuchV combination lprovides very substantial economies in rrianuf'acmrer Vbejcause ofthe simplicity of construction. Furthermore, such multi-chambered ampules provideA the additional `advantage 'inherent in the solid base thereof as contrasted with ampules provided with Stoppers at the end of open cy-linders. The positive movement of the movable stopper toward the solid base completely eliminates any danger of dislodgment of a stopper, either during the course of preparing the fluid vfor 'administration or Vduring the course of the injection.

vIt will be appreciated that the embodiments y indenbythe 'needle inserted therein; a double hereinabove described are merely illustrative -of the manner in which this invention may be accomplished and, accordingly, that the appended claims will ybe understood as defining' the invention within the full spirit and scope thereof.

I claim: I

l. A hypodermic syringe comprising vin combination a multi-chamber cartridge comprising a r'st cylinder having "a baseV integral therewith and a movable 'stopper set Within `saidcylinder at a point midway the base and the 'open' end thereof; a second'cylinder set within the open portion of the rst cylinder, said second cylinder having a base integral therewith, and a movable stopper positioned near the open end thereof, and a-needle in the b'ase of the second cylinder adapted to penetrate the movable 'stopper of the first cylinder; a double ended hypodermic needle set within a stem adapted Yto move inwardly of the second cylinder, the rear end of said double ended needle being adapted to penetrate the movable stopper of lthe second cylinder.

2. A hypodermic syringe comprising in combination a multi-chambered cartridge comprising a first cylinder having a base integral therewith and a movable stopper set within the said cylinder at a point'midw'ay the base and the open endv thereof; a second cylinder set within the open portion of the first cylinder, said second cylinder having a base integral therewith, and a movable stopper near the open end thereof, said .secondcylinder being held in movable engagement withthe ilrstV cylinder,'and a needle in the base of the second'cylinder that partially penetrates the stopper of the rst cylinder, thereby forming a first chamber in the first cylinder and a second chamber in the ysecond cylinder adapted for communication upon complete penetration of the aforesaid stopper of the first cylended' hypodermic needle set Within a stern adapted to move inwardly of the secondcylinder, the rear `end of said -needle being vadapted to penetrate 'the movable stopper of the second cylinder.

3. A multi-chambered cartridge for use YinV the administration of injectible'materials comprising: a cylinder having -a base formed integrally therewith, the inner Wall of said cylinder being threaded from a/point approximately midway the length -thereof to the open end of the cylinder; a slidable' stopper set within the cylinder at a point midway the base and the open end thereof; -a second cylinder set within the open portion of the rst cylinder, said second cylinder'being held in engagement with the rst cylinder by external threads on the'wallthereof, said' second cylinder having a base integral therewith; a slidable stopper set near the open -end thereof; and a needle extending from `the base of the secondcylinder adapted to penetrate the stopper set within the first cylinder. f v I 4. A vmulti-'ehar'nbered cartridge for use in the administration of injectible materials compris'- ing: a cylinder having a base formed integrally therewith, the inside of the Wall of said cylinder being threaded from Va point approximately midway the length thereof lto the open end of the cylinder; 'a slidable stopper-positioned within the cylinder approximately lr'ndvvay the base and the open end thereof; a second cylinder; having -a base formed integrally therewith Vand set with its base within the first cylinder, said second cylinder being movably held by the engagement of the threadsvof the rst cylinder with an externally threaded portion on the VWall of the'se'cond cylinder; a slidable stopper -positioned within the second cylinder; and a longitudinally vbored needle, set within the base of the second'cylinder, extending outwardly from the inner side ofthe base and of a length approximately vthe thickness of the stopper within the first cylinder. y

' NATHAN'BRODY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileY of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS 

